Loose-leaf binder.



P. L. TALLMAN.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG.28,1912:

vPatented May 5 COLUMBIA9LANOG RAPH c0 PERCY L. TALLMAN, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TALLMAN, ROBBINS & COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1914.

Application filed December 28, 1912. Serial No. 739,082.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY L. TALLMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Binders, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to binders, commonly called loose leaf binders andthe object of the invention is to provide simple and efiicient lockingmeans, the chief part of which is concealed from view and inaccessibleexcept through a keyhole.

As a result of my improved construction the locking part is invisibleand, practically speaking, cannot be operated by any one unless suppliedwith a key. Certain other advantages are gained as a result of myimprovements, for example, the spring plate which is the active lockingelement cannot be removed without actually destroying the binder andconsequently calling attention to the fact that the binder has beentampered with. Again, in a binder embodying my invention the springplate, being inclosed, cannot mar the desks, filing cabinets or otherobjects with which the binder is brought in contact.

I accomplish my objects by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of acomplete binder embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view ofthe binder taken transversely to the spring plate at one of the bindingposts. Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view on the line 33 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isa perspective view ofthe spring plate or looking plate. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of a key which may be employed in connection with mybinder to lock and unlock the same.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts.

I as canvas-covered sheets of plaster board,

wood fiber, or similar material. B-igidly secured to the lower cover arebinding posts 2 of any suitable construction. Parallel to the back edgeof the upper cover is a spring plate 3 having a longitudinal slot 4;.The sides of this slot are notched to form holes '5 for receiving thebinding posts. Said holes are normally slightly smaller in diameter thanthe binding posts so that unless spread by an external force the platefirmly grips the sides of the posts and prevents the plate and attachedparts from moving relatively to the posts. The plate is also notched,preferably at the center, to form a'hole 6. This latter hole isapproximately elliptical in form and is adapted to receive the bit 7 ofakey 8. The key may be varied in design, the essential feature beingthat the bit acts as a cam, and by being rotated in the hole 6 causesthe spring plate to spread or to contract to release or grip the bindingposts. Inclosing said plate is but according to the best design thecasing closely fits the plate at top and bottom thus avoiding lostmotion or rattling. It is desirable thatthe ends of the casing'be closedby sheet metal caps 11. By preference the size and shape of the casingis such that when it is canvas covered it forms a portion symmetricaland similar in all respects with the corresponding portion of the lowercover. Said casing is apertured to permit the free passage of thebinding posts, and it is desirable to place escutcheons 13 on the uppersurface of the upper cover around the holes provided for the saidbinding posts to impart a finished appearance to the device. The casingis provided with a key hole 1d registering with the hole 6 in the springplate for permitting the bit of the key to pass through to the springplate to operate the latter. By preference an escutcheon 15 having asuitable key hole is secured upon the upper surface of the upper coverin such position that its key hole is in register with the key hole inthe casing and in the spring plate.

In operation, when it is desired to remove the upper cover the key isrotated so as to bring the bit 7 thereof to the narrower portion of thehole 6.v This causes the plate to spread'and increase the diameter ofthe holes 5 sufficiently to release the binding posts and permit theupper cover to be lifted off. By reversing the operation the cover maybe replaced and locked at any desired elevation upon the posts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A binder comprising covers, binding posts secured to one of them, aslotted spring plate formed of a flat strip of metal, a metallic casingfor said plate secured to the other of said covers, said casing having akey hole and said plate having a slot extending longitudinallythroughout the greater portion of its length, said plate having notchesopening into its slot to form holes which are smaller than the postswith which they engage, and said plate having other notches opening intothe slot and forming a hole to receive a cam, and a key having a bitforming a cam adapted to pass through the key hole into said cam holewhereby when the key is rotated the slot in the plate will widen andrelease the binding posts, said metallic casing closely fitting thespring plate at the ends and at the top and bottom whereby relativelongitudinal and vertical movement between the plate and the casing isprevented.

2. A binder comprising covers, binding posts rising from the lower oneof them, a slotted spring plate formed of a flat strip of metal having alongitudinal slot provided with notches opening thereinto to form holeswhich are smaller than the posts with which they engage, said platehaving other notches opening into the slot and forming a hole to receivea cam, a key having a bit extending in opposite directions from the keyshank and forming a cam for entering the cam slot for spreading theplate, a metallic casing secured to the upper cover of the binder andinclosing said spring plate, said casing closely fitting said plate atthe ends and at the top and bottom to prevent relative movement, and anescutcheon upon the upper cover having a slot'for receiving the key, theslot in the escutcheon extending lengthwise of the cam slot in thespring plate for receiving the key bit and permitting it to enter thecam slot in the spring plate and for retaining said key when the plateis sprung by the key.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

PERCY L. TALLMAN. Witnesses HOWARD M. Cox, ARTHUR F. POOLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. 0.

